Seeding system

ABSTRACT

A seed metering system includes a volumetric meter and a plurality of row units. Each and every one of the plurality of row units includes a singulating meter, a bypass conduit, and an outlet that is common to and downstream of the singulating meter and the bypass conduit. The seed metering system further includes a dispersion unit including an inlet and a plurality of outlets and operable to disperse the plurality of seeds from the volumetric meter to the plurality of row units. The seed metering system is operable in a first mode of operation in which the volumetric meter communicates with each singulating meter via the dispersion unit to singulate the plurality of seeds. The seed metering system is operable in a second mode of operation in which the volumetric meter communicates with each bypass conduit via the dispersion unit such that the plurality of seeds are not singulated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/871,653 filed Sep. 30, 2015, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a seeding and planting system and moreparticularly to a metering and distribution system of the seeding andplanting system.

SUMMARY

Current seeding practices tend to involve one of two types of seedingsystems: planters and air seeders. Planters generally singulate orindividually meter seeds prior to planting and are typically used todisperse seeds where precise placement is required for maximum yield andthe seeding rate permits use of singulating technologies. Air seedersgenerally meter seeds volumetrically and are typically used in high rateseeding applications and where precise seed placement is of lessimportance or not practical due to the high rates.

A seed metering system for selectively metering a plurality of seedsincludes a volumetric meter and a plurality of row units. Each and everyone of the plurality of row units includes a singulating meter inselective communication with the volumetric meter, a bypass conduit inselective communication with the volumetric meter, and an outlet that iscommon to and downstream of the singulating meter and the bypassconduit. The seed metering system further includes a dispersion unitincluding an inlet and a plurality of outlets and operable to dispersethe plurality of seeds from the volumetric meter to the plurality of rowunits. The seed metering system is operable in a first mode of operationin which the volumetric meter communicates with each singulating metervia the dispersion unit to singulate the plurality of seeds. The seedmetering system is operable in a second mode of operation in which thevolumetric meter communicates with each bypass conduit via thedispersion unit such that the plurality of seeds is not singulated.

A method of selectively metering a plurality of seeds includesvolumetrically metering the plurality of seeds and dispersing theplurality of seeds to a plurality of row units via a dispersion unit. Ateach of the plurality of row units, the dispersed portion of theplurality of seeds is directed to one of a singulating meter or a bypassconduit, bypassing the other of the singulating meter or the bypassconduit. At each of the plurality of row units, the dispersed portion ofthe plurality of seeds is discharged via an outlet common to thesingulating meter and the bypass conduit.

A seed metering system for selectively metering a plurality of seedsincludes a storage tank and a plurality of row units. Each and every oneof the plurality of row units includes a singulating meter in selectivecommunication with the storage tank, a bypass conduit in selectivecommunication with the storage tank, and an outlet that is common to anddownstream of the singulating meter and the bypass conduit. The seedmetering system further includes a dispersion unit including an inletand a plurality of outlets and operable to disperse the plurality ofseeds from the storage tank to the plurality of row units. The seedmetering system is operable in a first mode of operation in which thestorage tank communicates with each singulating meter via the dispersionunit to singulate the plurality of seeds. The seed metering system isoperable in a second mode of operation in which the storage tankcommunicates with each bypass conduit via the dispersion unit such thatthe plurality of seeds is not singulated.

A seeding system includes a storage tank operable to store a pluralityof seeds and a dispersion unit configured to disperse some of theplurality of seeds amongst a plurality of conduits. The dispersion unitincludes a sensor. A meter is operable to transfer the some of theplurality of seeds from the storage tank to the dispersion unit. Thesensor is operable to produce a signal to control the transfer from thestorage tank to the dispersion unit.

A seeding system includes a dispersion unit configured to disperse aplurality of seeds amongst a plurality of seed conduits. The dispersionunit comprises a container having an inlet for the plurality of seedsand an air current, at least one seed outlet, and an air outlet distinctfrom the at least one seed outlet. A single fan is located upstream ofthe inlet of the dispersion unit and operable to provide the air currentto the inlet of the dispersion unit.

A seeding system includes a first storage tank for holding a pluralityof seeds and a second storage tank for holding a quantity of fertilizer.A plurality of singulating meters are each operable to meter some of theplurality of seeds from the first storage tank. A first path is operableto deliver a first portion of the plurality of seeds from the firststorage tank to one of the plurality of singulating meters via a firstdispersion unit. The first dispersion unit includes a sensor configuredto sense a relative quantity of seed within the first dispersion unit. Asecond path is operable to deliver a portion of the quantity offertilizer from the second storage tank to the ground via a seconddispersion unit. The second path is configured to bypass the one of theplurality of singulating meters.

A seeding system comprises a first storage tank for holding a pluralityof seeds and a second storage tank for holding a quantity of fertilizer.A plurality of singulating meters are each operable to meter some of theplurality of seeds from the first storage tank. A first path is operableto deliver a first portion of the plurality of seeds from the firststorage tank to a point downstream of a second dispersion unit. A secondpath is operable to deliver a portion of the quantity of fertilizer fromthe second storage tank to the ground via the second dispersion unit.The first path is in communication with the second path at a pointdownstream of the second dispersion unit.

Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent byconsideration of the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a seeder.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a metering and distributionsystem.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of a distribution unit including a seedchannel, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the third distribution unit showing multipleseed conduit outlets.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the followingdrawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments andof being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it isto be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, seeding machine 2 comprises a seed cart 13 and atilling implement 17. The seed cart 13 is typically towed by a tractorthrough a field to be seeded. The seed cart 13 has a frame supporting anumber of storage tanks 18 with wheels 61 rotatably mounted to theframe. The product contained in the storage tanks 18 may include seed,fertilizer, or other agricultural particles. Each storage tank 18 isprovided with a volumetric meter 14. Each volumetric meter 14 ispositioned below the respective storage tank 18 and receives producttherefrom for controlled feeding of the product into a pneumaticdistribution system 21.

The tilling implement 17, towed behind the seed cart 13, comprises aframe to which ground openers 29A, 29B are mounted. The tillingimplement 17 may also include seed row finishing equipment such aspackers 33. Located below each volumetric meter 14 is a primary airdistribution manifold 25, part of the pneumatic distribution system 21.The pneumatic distribution system 21 distributes metered product fromthe storage tanks 18 to the ground openers 29A, 29B and comprises ablower 37 driven by a motor which directs a stream of pressurized airthrough an adjustable damper 41, which thereafter directs the air streaminto a top rank portion directed into an upper rank of first tubes 45and a bottom rank portion directed into a bottom rank of first tubes 49.FIG. 1 illustrates a double shoot air seeder wherein a first productcontained in one of the storage tanks 18 is directed to the top rankportion 45 of the air stream and the second product contained in theother of the storage tanks 18 is directed to the bottom rank portion 49of the air stream. Triple shot applications in which three products areadded to three different rank portions of the air stream are alsoutilized in certain situations, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a seed metering system 10 along threerank portions or main conduits 45, 49, 53 for use in a plantingoperation, such as seeding a field or dispersing agricultural particles(e.g., fertilizer, etc.). The seed metering system 10 can be used withor as a part of the seeding machine 2.

Each volumetric meter 14A, 14B, 14C (e.g., one volumetric meter 14A,14B, 14C associated with each of the three storage tanks 18A, 18B, 18C,respectively) is configured to receive and meter the seeds oragricultural particles from the storage tanks 18A, 18B, 18C. The storagetanks 18A, 18B, 18C may be in the form of a tank, hopper, air cart,mobile seed storage device, or other bulk container as previouslydescribed and illustrated in FIG. 1. The volumetric meters 14A, 14B, 14Ccontrol the amount or volume of seeds or other agricultural particlespermitted to exit the storage tanks 18A, 18B, 18C over a set period oftime and may each include multiple roller segments or rotating members20, each capable of rotating at a constant rotational velocity along acommon shaft. The volumetric meters 14A, 14B, 14C are located upstreamof and are operable to provide a known, constant volume of seeds orparticles to the conduits 45, 49, 53. Gates 16 associated with eachvolumetric meter 14A, 14B, 14C or each roller segment 20 are operable toopen or close to vary the amount of seeds or agricultural particleswhich reach the conduits 45, 49, 53. Alternatively, each roller segment20 of the volumetric meters 14A, 14B, 14C may be individually driven,and therefore may be individually halted to vary the amount of seeds oragricultural particles which reach the conduits 45, 49, 53.

A fan 37A, 37B is located at one end of the conduits 45, 49, 53 and isoperable to provide an air current to the corresponding conduits 45, 49,53 and throughout the remainder of the metering system 10. As shown, thefirst conduit 45 utilizes a first fan 37A and the second and thirdconduits 49, 53 utilize a second fan 37B. Alternatively, a single fanmay provide three air currents; one to each of the conduits 45, 49, 53,or individual fans may be associated with the respective conduits 45,49, 53.

The main conduits 45, 49 terminate at distribution or dispersion units40A, 40B, which are located between the volumetric meter 14A, 14B andthe ground, where the seeds or particles are deposited. The dispersionunits 40A, 40B as shown each have an inlet 30 coupled to the respectivemain conduit 45, 49, a collection volume, and a plurality of outlets 32,which lead to secondary conduits 36A, 36B. Each secondary conduit 36A,36B leads to an outlet conduit 46A, 46B. As the seeds or agriculturalparticles from a single conduit (i.e., the conduit 45, 49) are dispersedamong multiple conduits (i.e., the secondary conduits 36A, 36B), thesecondary conduits 36A, 36B may be of lesser size or area than theassociated conduits 45, 49.

The third distribution or dispersion unit 42, enlarged in FIG. 3A, isdissimilar in design and operation to the dispersion units 40A, 40B.Dispersion unit 42 includes a container defining a central chamber 44with an inlet 48 located along a sidewall 52 and connected to the mainconduit 53. The inlet 48 accepts seeds from the volumetric meter 14C andair from the fan 37B. The base 54 of the dispersion unit 42 is generallysloped or similarly oriented to direct the seeds within the centralchamber 44 by gravity towards a seed outlet or orifice 56 located at thelowermost portion of the base 54. The orifice 56 is sized to allow seedsto drop into a seed channel 60 located below the central chamber 44.

Two sensors, an upper limit sensor 44A and a lower limit sensor 44B arelocated within the central chamber 44. The lower limit sensor 44B islocated nearer the base than the upper limit sensor 44A. The sensors areconfigured to communicate an aspect of the seed level, such as therelative quantity of seed within the container or chamber 44, to acontrol unit (not shown). The sensors 44A, 44B may be mechanical orelectrical/electronic in nature and based on, for example, pressure,optics, ultrasound, etc.

The third dispersion unit 42 additionally includes an air outlet 62 incommunication with the central chamber 44 and located at a height abovethe inlet 48 such that seeds do not block the air outlet 62. The airoutlet 62 links the central chamber 44 to a first end 66 of the seedchannel 60. The seed channel 60 extends along the base 54 from the firstend 66 towards the orifice 56 and extends in an upward direction fromthe orifice 56 to a second end 68, preventing gravity alone fromaccumulating seeds within the seed channel 60 such that seeds wouldapproach either the first end 66 or the second end 68. The seed channel60 may include a Venturi-type restriction 60A below the orifice 56, therestriction 60A cooperative with the air outlet 62 to create alow-pressure area within the seed channel 60. As shown in FIG. 3B, thethird dispersion unit 42 may have a substantial depth (i.e., extendinginto the page of FIG. 3A) such that the unit 42 includes multipleorifices 56 spaced apart from one another along the base 54 and multipleseed channels 60, each with an associated second end 68. In such anembodiment, each orifice 56 corresponds to and feeds a different seedchannel 60.

The second end 68 of each seed channel 60 is fixed to a secondaryconduit 36C. As mentioned above, the dispersion unit 42 may includemultiple orifices 56, each corresponding to a different seed channel 60.Therefore, multiple secondary conduits 36C, each associated with one ofthe seed channels 60, may extend from the dispersion unit 42. As analternative to the air outlet 62, individual fans may be associated witheach or a sub-group of the secondary conduits 36C.

As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary conduit 36C includes a fork, with onepath leading to a container or hopper or “mini-hopper” 38, the otherleading to a bypass conduit 26. The bypass conduit 26 is operable tobypass or circumnavigate the mini-hopper and connects the thirdsecondary conduit 36C to the second secondary conduit 36B at the outletconduit 46B.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the mini-hopper 38 selectively receives seedsfrom the third dispersion unit 42 via the secondary conduit 36C. Themini-hopper 38 is located directly upstream of a singulating meter 22and feeds the seeds from the secondary conduit 36C into the meter 22.The mini-hopper 38 is additionally capable of storing excess seeds, notyet metered by the singulating meter 22. Therefore, the seeds may passthrough the volumetric meter 14C at a greater rate than the seeds aresingulated along this particular path. This ensures that the singulatingmeter 22 is consistently stocked with seeds for singulating andsubsequently planting. The mini-hopper 38 may be gravity-assisted, withan inlet 34A from the secondary conduit 36C located at a height abovethe outlet 34B to the singulating meter 22.

At the height of the inlet 34A or at a height between the inlet 34A andthe outlet 34B, the mini-hopper 38 is provided with one or more openings70. The openings 70 are sized smaller than the seeds such that seeds arenot capable of traversing the openings 70. When not blocked by seeds,the openings 70 serve as an outlet for the air from the fan 37B throughthe conduit 36C.

The singulating meter 22 is operable to singulate or individually meterseeds and is in communication with the mini-hopper 38 via themini-hopper outlet 34B. The singulating meter 22 may include a rotatingsingulating disk (not shown) with multiple orifices, each sized toaccept a single seed, and a doubles eliminator (not shown) provided toensure a one-to-one ratio of seed to each aperture.

At an outlet end, the singulating meter 22 is connected to the conduit46B. A seed sensor 50 is positioned within a shared conduit downstreamof the location where the outlet end of the singulating meter 22 meetsthe bypass conduit 26 and upstream of the connection to the conduit 46Bas shown in FIG. 2. The seed sensor 50 measures the number of seeds orrate of seeding (i.e., number of seeds per time increment) from thesingulating meter 22 and the bypass conduit 26 around the singulatingmeter 22. This information can be stored and relayed from a control unitto an operator for quality assurance. The conduit 46B provides a pathfor the singulated seeds to reach the ground and may be in the form of atube, hollow shaft, channel, belt, or similar means of conveyancesuitable to transfer seed, fertilizer, or other agricultural particlesto the ground. More specifically, the conduit 46B may deposit or plantthe seeds in a furrow created by one of the ground openers 29B (FIG. 1),such as a seed shank. In other constructions, the opener may include oneor two opener disks.

A number of control valves 28A-28C are provided in the system 10. Thecontrol valves 28A-28C may be diverter valves or proportional valves andcan vary in operation from a fully open position (i.e., providing noadditional metering) to a fully closed position (i.e., allowing no seedsto pass) and may be held at various amounts between fully open and fullyclosed. Alternatively, one or more of the control valves 28A-28C mayswitch only between the fully open position and the fully closedposition with no intermediate positions. When in other than a fullyclosed position, the control valves 28A-28C allow passage for at leastsome of the air and/or seeds. As shown, FIG. 2 is a schematic and thesystem 10 need not include all valves 28A-28C.

The second and third conduits 49, 53 share a common origin at the secondfan 37B. Therefore, a Y-joint or branch 72 separates the airflow fromthe fan 37B between each line 49, 53. The air control valve 28A isoperably located at the branch 72 upstream of the outlets of thevolumetric meters 14B, 14C. The valve 28A is operable to direct anamount or percentage of the total amount of air produced by the fan 37Btowards the lines 49, 53.

From the seed storage tank 18C, the seeds may be dispersed via thesecond or the third dispersion unit 40B, 42. The dispersion valve 28B isoperable to change the path taken by the seeds between the second andthird conduits 49, 53. When in a first position, the dispersion valve28B provides a path which connects the third volumetric meter 14C to thesecond conduit 49, allowing the seeds to mix with the fertilizer in thesecond conduit 49 upstream of the second dispersion unit 40B. When in asecond position, the dispersion valve 28B provides a path from the thirdvolumetric meter 14C to the third dispersion unit 42 through the thirdconduit 53. The dispersion valve 28B may in some applications beembodied as a switching valve configured to open one path whilesimultaneously closing the other. Alternatively, both paths of thedispersion valve 28B may be closed to prevent the seed from reachingeither dispersion unit 40B, 42.

Bypass valve 28C is located downstream of the third dispersion unit 42and may function in place of or in addition to the valve 28B. From thethird dispersion unit 42, the seeds travel through the secondary conduit36C towards the mini-hopper 38 and singulating meter 22. However, whenthe bypass valve 28C is in a first position, the mini-hopper 38 andsingulating meter 22 are bypassed and the seed instead mixes with thefertilizer and continues to the ground via the conduit 46B. When thebypass valve 28B is in a second position, the seed continues to themini-hopper 38, singulating meter 22, and to the ground via the secondoutlet conduit 46B.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first storage tank 18A holds fertilizer. Inoperation, when actuated, the first volumetric meter 14A rotates toallow a known, but variable rate of fertilizer to exit the tank 18A anddeposits the fertilizer in the conduit 45. The fertilizer enters thefirst conduit 45 which is concurrently supplied with airflow from thefirst fan 37A. The airflow carries the fertilizer within the firstconduit 45 to the first dispersion unit 40A, which disperses thefertilizer amongst multiple secondary conduits 36A. Each secondaryconduit 36A carries the fertilizer to the conduit 46A and deposits thefertilizer in a furrow created by the ground opener 29A such as afertilizer shank (FIG. 1).

The second storage tank 18B also holds fertilizer. In operation, whenactuated, the second volumetric meter 14B rotates to allow a known rateof fertilizer to exit the tank 18B at a known rate which may be varied.The fertilizer enters the second conduit 49, which is concurrentlysupplied with airflow from the second fan 37B. The airflow carries thefertilizer within the second conduit 49 to the second dispersion unit40B, which disperses the fertilizer amongst multiple secondary conduits36B. Each secondary conduit 36B carries the fertilizer to the conduit46B and deposits the fertilizer in a furrow created by the seed shank29B, separate from the fertilizer in the furrow created by thefertilizer shank 29A. For example, the fertilizer from the first tank18A may be deposited between two adjacent seed furrows.

The third storage tank 18C holds seeds. When the third volumetric meter14C is actuated, it rotates to allow a known amount of seeds to exit thetank 18C at a known rate. The valve 28B directs the seed in one mode toconduit 49 supplied with airflow from the second fan 37B where the seedmixes with fertilizer from tank 18B and is then conveyed pneumaticallyto the seed shank 29B as described above. In a second mode, the valve28B directs seed into the third conduit 53 which is concurrentlysupplied with airflow from the second fan 37B. The airflow carries theseeds within the third conduit 53 to the third dispersion unit 42. Theseeds enter the inlet 48 of the third dispersion unit and fall towardsthe sloped base 54, where they pool in the central chamber 44 above theorifice 56. The seeds eventually pass through the orifice 56 into theseed channel 60 but if the seed channel 60 below the orifice 56 is full,additional seeds are not capable of entering the seed channel 60 fromthe central chamber 44. Concurrently, the air that previously carriedthe seeds through the inlet 48 continues through the air outlet 62 andto the first end 66 of the seed channel 60 to carry the seeds in theseed channel 60 out of the second end to the secondary conduit 36C in acontrolled manner.

The volumetric meter 14C and associated gate 16 permit seeds into themain conduit 53 and the central chamber 44 of the third dispersion unit42 at a rate greater than the seeds exit the seed chamber 60. Therefore,seeds may back up within the central chamber 44. When the seedsaccumulate to a level measured by the upper limit sensor 44A, the sensorrelays a signal to the control unit (not shown) which in responseactuates the associated gate 16 into a closed position, thereby stoppingflow of the seeds into main conduit 53. As the seeds continue to passthrough the orifices 56 leading to the seed channels 60 and thesecondary conduits 36C, the level of seeds within the central chamber 44decreases until the lower limit sensor 44B relays a signal that thenumber of seeds within the central chamber is at or below a lower limit.The signal is relayed to the control unit which actuates the gate 16into an open position, thereby resuming the flow of the seeds from thethird storage tank 18C.

The seed from the secondary conduit 36C may be singulated via thesingulating meter 22, or may be planted without further metering. If thebypass valve 28C is in a first position, the singulating meter 22 isbypassed and the seeds from the secondary conduit 36C bypass the meter22 but join to the meter outlet upstream of the seed sensor 50. If thebypass valve 28C is in a second position, the seed is fed to themini-hopper 38 and then from there to the meter 22 where the seed issingulated before passing the seed sensor 50 and being deposited intothe ground.

When the mini-hopper 38 reaches the maximum fill height, the openings 70within the mini-hopper 38 are blocked by the seeds. In turn, the airwithin the associated secondary conduit 36C is unable to vent throughthe openings 70, thereby increasing the air pressure within thesecondary conduit 36C and preventing further passage of seeds into themini-hopper 38. If the seed level within the mini-hopper 38 drops belowthe maximum fill height, the openings 70 clear, permitting the freepassage of air through the openings 70 and further carrying ofadditional seeds to the mini-hopper 38.

Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seed metering system for selectively metering aplurality of seeds, the seed metering system comprising: a volumetricmeter; a plurality of row units, wherein each and every one of theplurality of row units comprises a singulating meter in selectivecommunication with the volumetric meter, a bypass conduit in selectivecommunication with the volumetric meter, and an outlet that is common toand downstream of the singulating meter and the bypass conduit; and adispersion unit including an inlet and a plurality of outlets andoperable to disperse the plurality of seeds from the volumetric meter tothe plurality of row units, wherein the seed metering system is operablein a first mode of operation in which the volumetric meter communicateswith each singulating meter via the dispersion unit to singulate theplurality of seeds, and wherein the seed metering system is operable ina second mode of operation in which the volumetric meter communicateswith each bypass conduit via the dispersion unit such that the pluralityof seeds is not singulated.
 2. The seed metering system of claim 1,wherein each row unit further comprises a seed sensor positioned at theoutlet and operable to detect the plurality of seeds in the first modeand in the second mode.
 3. The seed metering system of claim 1, whereineach one of the plurality of row units includes a valve located upstreamof the singulating meter and the bypass conduit, and located downstreamof the volumetric meter, the valve operable to switch from a firstposition in the first mode to a second position in the second mode. 4.The seed metering system of claim 3, wherein the valve is locateddownstream of the dispersion unit.
 5. The seed metering system of claim3, wherein each one of the plurality of row units further comprises amini-hopper located downstream of the valve and upstream of thesingulating meter.
 5. The seed metering system of claim 1, wherein eachone of the plurality of row units further comprises a mini-hopperoperably positioned between the dispersion unit and the respectivesingulating meter.
 6. The seed metering system of claim 1, wherein theoutlet common to and downstream of the singulating meter and the bypassconduit is configured to discharge seeds to a furrow.
 7. The seedmetering system of claim 1, further comprising a fan operable togenerate an airflow into the inlet of the dispersion unit.
 8. The seedmetering system of claim 1, wherein each row unit is connected to adifferent outlet of the plurality of outlets of the dispersion unit. 9.A method of selectively metering a plurality of seeds, the methodcomprising: volumetrically metering the plurality of seeds; dispersingthe plurality of seeds to a plurality of row units via a singledispersion unit; and at each of the plurality of row units directing adispersed portion of the plurality of seeds to one of a singulatingmeter or a bypass conduit, such that the dispersed portion bypasses theother of the singulating meter or the bypass conduit; and dischargingthe dispersed portion of the plurality of seeds via an outlet common tothe singulating meter and the bypass conduit.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein directing the dispersed portion of the plurality of seeds to thesingulating meter includes actuating a valve into a first position. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein directing the dispersed portion of theplurality of seeds to the bypass conduit includes actuating the valveinto a second position.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein directing thedispersed portion of the plurality of seeds to the singulating metercomprises directing the dispersed portion of the plurality of seeds to amini-hopper and thereafter singulating the dispersed portion of theplurality of seeds before discharging the dispersed portion of theplurality of seeds via the outlet.
 13. The method of claim 9, whereinthe dispersion unit includes an inlet and a plurality of outlets andwherein dispersing the plurality of seeds to the plurality of row unitsincludes distributing the plurality of seeds from the inlet of thedispersion unit amongst the plurality of outlets of the dispersion unit.14. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting seeds dischargedvia the outlet common to the singulating meter and the bypass conduit.15. The method of claim 9, wherein discharging the dispersed portion ofthe plurality of seeds via the outlet common to the singulating meterand the bypass conduit includes discharging the plurality of seeds to afurrow.
 16. A seed metering system for selectively metering a pluralityof seeds, the seed metering system comprising: a storage tank; aplurality of row units, wherein each and every one of the plurality ofrow units comprises a singulating meter in selective communication withthe storage tank, a bypass conduit in selective communication with thestorage tank, and an outlet that is common to and downstream of thesingulating meter and the bypass conduit; and a dispersion unitincluding an inlet and a plurality of outlets and operable to dispersethe plurality of seeds from the storage tank to the plurality of rowunits, wherein the seed metering system is operable in a first mode ofoperation in which the storage tank communicates with each singulatingmeter via the dispersion unit to singulate the plurality of seeds, andwherein the seed metering system is operable in a second mode ofoperation in which the storage tank communicates with each bypassconduit via the dispersion unit such that the plurality of seeds is notsingulated.
 17. The seed metering system of claim 16, wherein each rowunit further comprises a seed sensor positioned at the outlet andoperable to detect the plurality of seeds in the first mode and thesecond mode.
 18. The seed metering system of claim 16, wherein each oneof the plurality of row units includes a valve located upstream of thesingulating meter and the bypass conduit, and located downstream of thestorage tank, the valve operable to switch from a first position in thefirst mode to a second position in the second mode.
 19. The seedmetering system of claim 16, wherein each one of the plurality of rowunits further comprises a mini-hopper operably positioned downstream ofthe dispersion unit and upstream of the singulating meter.
 20. The seedmetering system of claim 16, wherein the outlet common to and downstreamof the singulating meter and the bypass conduit is configured todischarge seeds to a furrow.